Roy Jay Elected Chairman of National Meeting Planners Organization
Roy Jay, president of African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon, was recently elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.
The organization is based outside of Washington D.C. in Silver Spring, Maryland was established in 1983 and has grown over the years to be one of the most influential convention and tourism powerhouses in the industry.
Jay, 59 was elected during the organization’s fall conference which was held in Las Vegas at the Rio Hotel & Casino. He becomes only the fourth chairman in the 23-year history of the organization and the first one west of the Mississippi.
The position as chair of a national convention organization is the first of its kind for anyone in the Pacific Northwest. Jay will automatically become connected with a large number of major organizations under a reciprocal arrangement which may open up numerous opportunities for his members, colleagues and organization supporters.
Better known as “The Coalition”, the vast membership not only is comprised of a large majority of African American organizations that hold meetings throughout the country, but a continually growing number of hotels, airlines, convention bureaus, convention centers and tourism agencies which are realizing the importance the organization has in a $40 billion annual niche market.
Jay will preside over his first meeting in Spring of 2007 when NCBMP will have their conference in Niagara Falls, May 15-20, 2007. The organizations motto, coined by the original founder, Howard Mills “we do business with our friends” has attracted many of the who’s who in the convention and meeting business.
Lou Miller, another newly elected board member from San Antonio, Texas indicated that he will push for NCBMP take on more of an advocacy role across the country.
Similar to the NAACP reciprocity efforts of several years ago, Miller said that, subject to board approval, he want introduce a rating and ranking system with African American groups, meeting planners and decision makers on which cities, hotels, bureaus, centers, airlines and restaurants are minority friendly and empowering.
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners is primarily dedicated to the training needs of African American association executives, meeting planners and hospitality professionals. The organization is committed to the improvement of the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and conventions they manage. Members of NCBMP include association executives and meeting planners from numerous associations, businesses, civil rights, religions and fraternal organizations. Associate membership is available to individuals who represent hotels, convention bureaus, convention centers, government staff, airlines and other suppliers who offer services to the meeting and convention industry.
Since its founding, NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality community by promoting and educating the public on the sizable purchasing power and impact of African American conventions, business and leisure travelers which now exceeds $40 billion annually.
Through programs and workshop sessions, conducted at national conferences, the organization strives:
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To support the educational advancement of association executives, meeting planners and other meeting professionals through information and conference training.
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To provide educational opportunities in support of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) examination.
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To stimulate managerial opportunities in the hospitality industry for qualified African Americans.
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To develop a network in the hospitality industry for African American association executives, meeting planners and suppliers. The network was developed to facilitate job referrals, exchange consultants and vendors lists, and share other resources.
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To educate and mentor youth interested in and working towards careers in the hospitality industry
While the organizations office will be located on east coast, Jay has exercised his authority as chair to handle most of his duties from Portland, Oregon location. In less than 48 hours, he has already being sought after by his colleagues to speak at their hotels, bureaus and organization events.
Winter 2007
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